Mechanical christmas tree manifested by its rotating motion and the undulation of its branches

ABSTRACT

A mechanical Christmas tree in which a plurality of branches are pivotally connected at the ends thereof to an upright trunk and in which the branches are rocked about their pivots by a rocking mechanism mounted on a base of the Christmas tree. The base on which the rocking mechanism is mounted may in turn be rotatably mounted on a stationary base which carries a mechanism to rotate the rotatable base about its axis.

April 23,1974

D. L. COCJIN MECHANICAL CHRISTMAS TREE MANIFESTED BY ITS ROTATING MOTION Filed July 29, 1971 AND THE UNDULATION OF ITS BRANCHES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 3,806,399 MECHANIQAL CHRISTMAS TREE MANIFESTED BY ITS ROTATING MOTION D. L. COCJIN April23, 1974 AND THE UNDULATION' OF ITS BRANCHES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 1971 United "States Patent US. Cl. 161-24 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mechanical Christmas tree in which a plurality of branches are pivotally connected at the ends thereof to an upright trunk and in which the branches are rocked about their pivots by a rocking mechanism mounted on a base of the Christmas tree. The base on which the rocking mechanism is mounted may in turn be rotatably mounted on a stationary base which carries a mechanism to rotate the rotatable base about its axis.

This invention relates to a new type of Christmas tree. More particularly, this invention refers to a Christmas tree which is mechanical in nature as manifested by its rotating motion and by the up and down undulation of its branches.

This invention is especially aimed to provide a Christmas tree which has unique features to enable it to catch the attention of the onlookers.

It is further aimed to provide such a Christmas tree which projects the beauty and grace of motion.

The more specific objects and advantages will become more apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the Christmas tree.

FIG. 2 is an elevational cross-section of the tree as well as the base showing the arrangement of the mechanical and electrical machines and elements responsible for imparting the desired motion to the tree.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the tree at the portion where the branches connect to the trunk.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the portion of the tree showing the attachment of the branches to the trunk.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts throughout the different views, the invention primarily includes a base, trunk, branches, and a means for eifectuating the up and down motion of the branches.

Reverting to the base 1, FIG. 2, it can be seen that it has a circular platform 4 forming a stationary base. Secured at its center is the lower pedestal 5. On said lower pedestal 5 are mounted bearings 6 which holds the upper pedestal 7. On the outside rim of the upper pedestal 7 a certain vertical distance from platform 4 is attached a conical spur gear 8 which meshes with a smaller pinion 9 and forms with gear 8 a gear transmission driven by a prime mover in form of an electric motor 10. Operation of the motor gives the trunk and the attached branches a rotary motion. Positioned a little higher of the gear 8 are two circular slip rings 11. A pair of brushes 12 held by brush holders 13 bear on the slip rings 11 thus enabling the transfer of electric power from a stationary source to the rotating parts of the combination.

A secondary circular slab or rotatable base 14 is made to rest on top of the upper pedestal 7. 0n the upper surface of this slab 14, located centrally, a third pedestal 15 is mounted. Pedestal 15 carries the base cover 16. However, one of the primary purposes of pedestal 15 is to ice guide the reciprocating motion of push rod 17. Thus pedestal 15 is made hollow with a vertical slot 18 on the side facing the second motor 19. 'Slot 18 permits the up and down action of element 20 which is screwed perpendicularly to push rod 17.

Motor 19 is also supported by circular slab 14, although it is positioned some distance from the center. The shaft of motor 19 is made to extend horizontally and an eccentric cam 21 is secured at its extremity. Cam 21 bears on hearing 22 which is mounted on element 20 which forms with bearing 22 laterally projecting means connected to the lower part of push rod 17. When the motor 19 is started, the cams eccentric imparts a reciprocating motion to push rod 17 and this motion is transmitted to the branches 3 of the Christmas tree. The upper skirt 23 and lower skirt 33 are provided to hide the drive mechanism so that when seen from the outside the supporting structure looks like a cylinder. However, the lower edge of skirt 23 rests on platform 14 and that of skirt 33 stops short of platform 4.

The trunk 2 which is, of course, one of the main parts of the tree is concentrically mounted on base cover 16. Generally, trunk 2 is hollow. As shown in FIG. 3, elongated openings 34 are provided in the trunk 2 spaced axially and circumferentially to each other for rockers 24. Installed at each opening are a pair of rocker supports 25 consisting of brackets 26 and horizontal pin 27. Apertures 28 are made on the rockers 24 through which pin 27 is inserted and later secured to the brackets 26. Rods 32 with or without leaves may be connected to outer ends of the rockers 24 forming in effect the branches 3 of the tree.

Located inside the trunk 2 is the push rod 17 which is also made hollow to minimize weight. It extends from the trunk to the pedestal 15. On the lower end of the push rod 17 element 20 is installed. Elongated openings 29 complementing that of the trunk 2 are also provided to accommodate the other ends of rocker 24. The rocker ends rest on the upper edges of openings 29. When the push rod 17 reciprocates, the rockers 24 are given a rocking motion which imparts a vertical oscillation to the branches 3 which are tiltable about tilting axes, i.e., the axes of the pins 26. Near the top end of the trunk is installed ring-like guide 30 which keeps the push rod 17 at the center of the trunk 2. Cover 31 may be installed.

When the yuletide season is over, this Christmas tree can be readily dismantled and stored. The trunk 2 together with the push rod and branches are separated from base 1. The branches are then folded parallel to the trunk to conserve space. See the dotted lines, FIG. 3.

Various changes may be resorted to provide they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, dilferent shapes of cam may be used to vary the undulating motion of the branches. Proper electric lights may be installed also on the tree.

I claim:

1. -A mechanical Christmas tree comprising, in combination, a stationary base a rotatable base mounted on said stationary base; means mounted on said stationary base for rotating said rotatable base; a trunk carried by and projecting upwardly from said rotatable base; a plurality of branches projecting spaced from each other outwardly from said trunk; means supporting each of said branches on said trunk tiltable about a tilting axis located adjacent to and extending transverse to said trunk; and means carried by said rotatable base and operatively connected to each of said branches for rocking the latter about the respective tilting axis.

2. A mechanical Christmas tree as defined in claim 1, wherein said stationary base, said rotatable base and said trunk are aligned along a common vertical axis.

3. A mechanical Christmas tree as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said rotatable base comprise a prime mover mounted on said stationary base and a gear transmission between said prime mover and said rotatable base. 1 1

4. A mechanical Christmas tree as defined in claim 1, wherein said trunk is hollow and provided with a plurality of elongated openings, one for each of said branches, said openings extending in longitudinal direction of said trunk and spaced from each other in said longitudinal and circumferential direction of said trunk, said support means supporting each of said branches tiltable about a horizontal tilting axis with an end portion of each branch extending into said hollow trunk, said means for rocking said branches comprising a hollow push rod axially movable within said hollow trunk and provided with a plurality of elongated openings corresponding to those in said hollow trunk and each having an upper edge against which the end portion of the respective branch abuts, and means carried by said rotatable base for imparting a reciprocating movement to said push rod.

5. A mechanical Christmas tree as defined in claim 4, wherein said reciprocating means comprise a prime mover mounted on said rotatable base and'having a substantially horizontal drive shaft, an eccentric cam mounted on said drive shaft for rotation therewith, and laterally projecting means connected to the lower endof said push rod and engaged by said eccentric cam.

6. A mechanical Christmas tree as defined in claim 5, wherein said prime mover on said rotatable base is an electric motor, and including a pair of slip rings mounted on said rotatable base and a pair of brushes supported on said stationary base and respectively engaging said slip rings for supplying said electric motor with power.

7. A mechanical Christmas tree comprising, in combination, a base; a trunk carried by and projecting upward from said base; a plurality of branches projecting spaced from each other outwardly from said trunk; means supporting each of said branches to said trunk tiltable about a tilting axis located adjacent to and extending transverse to said trunk; and means carried by said base and operatively connected to each of said branches for rocking the latter about the respective tilting axis.

8. A mechanical Christmas tree as defined in claim 7, wherein said trunk is hollow and provided with a plurality of elongated openings, one for each of said branches, said openings extending in longitudinal direction of said trunk spaced from each other in longitudinal and circumferential direction of said trunk, said support means supporting each of said branches tiltable about a horizontal tilting axis with an end portion of each branch extending into said hollow trunk, said means for rocking said branches comprising a hollow push rod axially movable within said hollow trunk and provided with a plurality of elongated openings corresponding to those in said hollow trunk and each having an upper edge against which the end portion of the respective branch abuts, and means carried by said base for imparting a reciprocating movement to said push rod.

9. A mechanical Christmas tree as defined in claim 4, wherein said reciprocating means comprise a prime mover mounted on said base and having a substantially horizontal drive shaft, an eccentric cam mounted on said drive shaft for rotation therewith, and laterally projecting means connected to the lower of said push rod and engaged by said eccentric cam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,605,067 7/1952 Lindsell 248- 2,763,454 9/1956 Lindsell 248--45 3,465,139 9/1969 Siegal 24010 T 2,485,460 10/1949 Rocco 24010 T 2,522,906 9/1950 Smith 16l22 X 3,115,435 12/1963 Abramson 161-24 PHILIP DIER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

